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Richards to replace Blanton for Saturday's start

Richards to replace Blanton for Saturday's start

5/24/13: Garrett Richards gets Miguel Tejada to fly out to Mike Trout in center to notch his first save of the season in the ninth inning

By William Boor
/
MLB.com |

ANAHEIM -- Following Wednesday's 1-0 victory over the Twins, the Angels announced that Garrett Richards, not Joe Blanton, would start Saturday's game against Oakland.

Richards has not started a game since April 30 so it is a bit of a mystery as to how much stamina he has, but Blanton has struggled this season and it was only a matter of time before a change was made.

Richards has made four starts for the Angels this season and posted a 5.54 ERA.

Blanton is 2-13 with a 5.66 ERA on the season, but the month of July has been especially troublesome for the right-hander.

Blanton has given up 18 runs in 18 1/3 innings in July including four runs on nine hits in 3 2/3 innings in Monday's loss to Minnesota.

William Boor is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.